Current Day

“This totally blows.” Jax pulls the tape dispenser across the flaps of the last box.

“It does.” I glance at my buddy, and a twinge of guilt punches my stomach. Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to miss the fuck out of my friends, especially Jax. We’ve been through a lot together and done some remarkable things, but I can’t deny the shred of excitement. There’s a piece of me that can’t wait to start a new life with Mia. In two days, we’ll be in sunny California. Away from the cold Philadelphia winters and away from what we call life.

As if the simple thought of her draws me to her, I look up and see the woman who cracked the code to my heart is clearing the kitchen table. Her friend, Nala, stands by helping. Although, I suspect she’s not much help with Drake sniffing around like a dog in heat. You’d think the bastard would be more considerate to Cara. I turn back to my friend.

“I’m going to miss you all.”

“It’s not going to be the same.” Jocelyn sidles next to Jax and rests her left hand on his biceps, her new diamond shimmering in the late afternoon sun. She blinks repetitiously as if she’s staving off tears. “The pizzas will be here in about fifteen minutes.”

“There goes the peace and quiet.” Zach laughs as he enters through the front door and stacks a box near the others. Lacey volunteered to keep the kids busy while we finished packing my belongings. She’s bringing them over with the pizzas. “If the kids get too rambunctious, we could move the party to our house.”

“Nah, they’ll be fine. You’re not going to find any better kids.” My words put a smile on Jocelyn’s face, but I’m not bullshitting. I turn to Zach and point to the boxes. “Is that the last of them, or are there more?”

“Just one more box, but I’ll go get it. These last two were heavier than fuck. What the hell is in there? Gold bars?”

I glance at the boxes marked treasure, and the chuckle slides out before I stop it. “Those would be cookbooks.”

We tackled Mia’s pad yesterday which took no time at all. The movers will be here first thing in the morning to make the trek to Los Angeles. The decision to buy new furniture once we moved came easy since neither one of us had anything of value. All we had to do is add her boxes with mine, but it meant some poor schmuck had to do the heavy brunt part—insert Zach.

After Mia agreed to move with me, our life has been a whirlwind of busy. We flew out to California the day after Christmas and spent a week house hunting. After viewing several homes and apartments, we settled on a two-story condo in a suburb outside L.A. The place suits us for now. There’s plenty of space for company, and if Mom wants to visit for an extended time, she’ll have her own bedroom and bathroom.

“Man, I can’t believe you head out tomorrow.” Zach’s eyeing the stacked boxes, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s about to get choked up. He huffs and turns to look at me. “Don’t think I’m laying low when you face me on the field.”

“Ha! You don’t need to lay low, I know every weak spot.” I’ve caught this man for years. He’s a great pitcher, but he won’t outsmart me. “Besides, I won’t have to worry about facing you anyway.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Our lead will be so widespread, there won’t be a need for a closer.” I may be bullshitting him right now, but the truth remains—playing with new teammates is going to be fucking weird.

“You wish. I’ll go get the last box.” Zach’s gaze flicks behind me. “You have a shit-ton of cookbooks.”

The women gasp at the same time. “There is no such thing.”

“Never.”

“Fine, fine.” Zach throws his hands up in defeat. “I’ll be right back. Never mind my back, it’s not like I need it.”

“Idiot.” Jax shakes his head and turns his bright whites to his fiancée. They start to discuss the plans for tomorrow while Mia tugs my arm.

I lean down, and she murmurs in my ear, “Why don’t you go check on your sister.”

Confusion crosses my face when I scan the apartment and don’t see Cara. Mia nudges her head toward my bedroom and then her gaze goes back to the kitchen. Drake stands awfully close to Nala. The look on Nala’s face is one I recognize. It’s one that means all he has to do is make a move, and she’ll be his for the taking. Stupid prick.

The sigh comes out heavier than intended, and after a few strides, I’m standing next to my room. I peek my head in the door and see Cara sitting on the bed. “Sis, what are doing in here?”

“Hiding.”

The admission surprises me. “Why?”

“Please tell me you’re not that blind.”

“No, I’m guessing this has something to with Drake and Nala?”

She dips her head, and I have to refrain from bouncing on the balls of my feet. The flight to flee has never been so strong. “But you’re not together anymore, right?”

She pins me with a look that says I’m the biggest dumbass this side of the state. Perhaps I am. I’m not good with this shit.

“So, if you and Mia broke up, you’d be fine two weeks later seeing her flirt with someone else?”

Instant rage sweeps through me. “No. I wouldn’t.”

She shakes her head and turns away.

“Hey.” I close the distance between us and pull her off the bed and into my chest. “You’re way better off without him.”

She wraps her arms around my waist. “I know, and it’s not like I’m pining for him, but it still hurts to be forgotten so easily.”

“To be fair, he is a dick.”

That draws a laugh. “What am I going to do with you gone? I don’t want to stay here.”

I lean my head back and study her face. The wetness in her eyes I expect, but it’s that damned slackened expression that guts me. “Maybe you need a change. Why don’t you check out Cessna University?”

Her eyes narrow. “What? Like transfer?”

“It’s not unheard of, and I loved that school.”

“You wouldn’t mind me tagging to California with you?”

“Cara, you’d always be welcomed. But there’s so much to do at the university I’d hardly see you anyway.” That earns me a soft smile. “I’m sure it’d be nothing to transfer.”

“Thanks, big brother. What do you think Mom will say?”

“Let me handle Mom.”

She breaks away and heads over to my desk. She eyes our suitcases lying on the floor and sighs while grabbing the laptop. “I’m going to look up to see what I need to do. The semester is about to start in a few weeks. I can’t waste time.”

I chuckle. “Don’t forget, I’m alumni. I’m sure I have some pull.”

“Yeah, the monetary kind.”

I laugh. “There may be more truth to that than you know. But seriously, let me know what you need.”

She barely looks over the top of the computer. “Sure. You’re the best, big brother.”

“Hey, everyone!” Lacey’s voice echoes into the bedroom.

“Pizza’s here,” the kids call out in unison. It makes me wonder if they practiced.

“You want me to bring you some slices?”

“I’ll be fine. I just need to know if they have my program.”

I clench my jaw. My sister feeling like she has to hide in my bedroom doesn’t settle well. But I can’t remove the problem. “I’d ask Drake to leave, but he’s the only family Mia has.”

Cara looks up from the computer and gives me a wry smile. “I’m okay, really. It’s just sickening to witness him using the same maneuvers as he did with me. It reiterates how stupid I was to fall for it. That’s what I’m most upset over.”

I wince. No one wants to think about their baby sister being used.

“Let me know what you come up with. Just wait, I’ll make a Wildcat out of you, yet.” I close my eyes and shake my head at the absurdity that flew from my mouth. “Uh, you know what I mean.”

Cara laughs incredulously and throws a pillow at me. “Go to your guests. I’ll be okay.”

I nod and turn to exit. I need to find Mia and explain we may have an early houseguest. I shouldn’t have extended the invitation without Mia’s consent.

My search is short. Mia greets me as soon as I walk back out. “She okay?”

“She will be.” I run a jerky hand through my hair. Shit! I basically invited Cara to live with us without consulting Mia. What if she doesn’t want her staying there? I suck at this couple’s thing. “I, uh...may have suggested she move out to California.”

Mia tilts her head to the side. “Like, move in with us?”

“Not exactly, but I’m sure she’ll have to stay some nights.”

“I’m not following.”

“I suggested she transfer to Cessna University.”

Delightful surprise coats her eyes. “Oh, that’s a great idea. She’ll love it there.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Why would I be mad?”

“Because us moving in together is new, and it may not be the ideal time for someone to stay.” I push out a frustrated sigh. “I really didn’t think this through.”

“It’s fine. Perfect even. It’ll give me a roommate while you’re away.” She winks, and I think I just fell deeper in love.

“I may be good at baseball, but relationships? Not so much. I may have a long learning curve.”

“AJ, you’ve been a bachelor for how long? There’ll be times when your choices may seem selfish, but if you think about it, they really aren’t.”

“But I didn’t think about your feelings.”

“No, but you were concerned for your sister and composed a solution for her. That’s not being selfish. Placing others first is one of my favorite things I love about you.”

“Yeah?”

“Uh-huh.”

“What else is your favorite?”

Her face breaks into an impish grin. “I’m not going to lie. I’ve become attached to that impressive cock of yours.”

Holy shit, I love this woman. “Is that so?”

“Yep.”

I lower my voice so only she can hear me. “He can’t wait to attach himself to you after everyone leaves.”

“Did he tell you this?”

“Yep. He twitched happily, trying to find you.”

She lets out the sweetest laugh. “Oh my God, AJ. You’re the only person I know who references their dick in third person.”

I choke back another dirty reply I want to make. Mainly because I need to get my mind off sex. But hello, my woman thinks my cock is impressive. If that’s not an ego booster, I don’t know what is, but joining our friends with a chub wouldn’t be a good idea. I change the topic.

“Why don’t you check out some classes, too. We should have visited the school while we were there.”

“I plan to check it out once we get settled.” Mia wraps her arms around my waist, and the smile she gives me lights her entire face. “I’m so ready to start our life together, but, first, we need to entertain our guests. They’re divvying up the pizza.”

“They’re fine.” I’m more than ready to begin our life together. My entire existence, I felt unworthy of relationships, let alone one with an incredible girl like Mia. Staring into her striking blue eyes, I feel like the luckiest man alive.

She worries about people thinking we’re moving too fast, but I don’t give a fuck what people think. I have no reservations. Besides, I’ve always been one to jump in with both feet. Without doing anything but being herself, Mia opened my eyes to things I never knew I wanted. I still don’t think I deserve someone this great, but that has more to do with no one being good enough for her more than my own insecurities. I do know this: there isn’t another man alive that will love her more than me.

I tip my head lower and plant a kiss on her cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”